Bomb releasing shackle



1 5- R; M ARKEY BdMB RELEAS iNG SHACKLE 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed May a, 1940' INVENTOR Roscoe LIWar/rey ATTORNEY Oct. 29, 1946.

R. l. MARKEY BOMB RELEASING SHACKLE Filed May 8, 1940- 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 MW mm mm w mm mm 2 mu Q ll E5 v R QR S a v INVENTOR Roscoe Mar/re ATTORNEY Oct. 29, 1946. M 2 ,410;03G

BOMB RELEAS ING SHACKLE INVENTOR Rojcoe I. Mar/f y a. gig,

ATTORNEY Patented Get. 29, 1946 UNITED STATES TN OFECE 2,419,036 B RELEASING SHACKLE Application May 8, 1940, Serial No. 333,921

20 Claims. 1

The invention relates to bomb releasing shackles, particularly adapted for use with aerial bombs.

In accordance with the invention a bomb shackle having a .two point support for the bomb is provided. One of the principal objects of the invention is to provide suitable means to release both of these supports at precisely the same instant.

A further object is to provide a bomb release shackle that is absolutely fool proof or in other words a shackle from which it is impossible to release the bomb until the operator so desires.

A further object is the provision of simple means for dropping the bomb unarmed so that it will not explode.

A still further object is to provide emergency means for dropping the bomb either armed or unarmed.

A .still further object is to provide a bomb shackle in which practically all moving parts will automatically return to their normal position when resetting the locking mechanism.

Numerous other objects and advantages will become apparent as this specification proceeds. Referring to the drawings forming a part thereof and in which preferred embodiments of the invention are illustrated: t

Fig. 1 is an elevational view of the bomb releasing shackle;

Fig. 2 is an elevation looking at the opposite side thereof;

Fig. 3 is an elevational view with parts removed and parts in section the shackle being inits locked position;

Fig. 4 is a View similar to Fig. 3, the front plate being broken away and the parts being in the position they would assume with the bomb released;

Figs. 5 and 6 are sections taken on the line 5--5 and 6-4, respectively, of Fig. 3;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary top plan View;

Fig. 8-is an elevational view of a modified form;

Fig. 9 is a fragmentary elevational View showing another form of looking or latching mechanism, the parts being in their locked position;

Fig. 10 is a View of the mechanism shown in Fig. 9, the front plate being removed and the parts being in the released position;

Fig. 11 is a section on line I l-ll of Fig. 9;

Fig. 12 is an elevational view looking from the op osite side to that shown in Fig. 9;

Fig. 13 is a plan View; and

Fig. 14 is a simplified .form of wiring-diagram.

Referring again to said drawings and to par- .ticularly Figs. 1 to 7, the framework or supporting structure of the shackle comprises two spaced. plates i'll'il, spot-Welded or otherwise secured at either end to hinge-members I2 and I3.

The hinge-members comprise yokes to which short rods M are spot-welded or otherwise secured at their connecting portions. The yokes are bifurcated so as to form openings 15 to permit of entry of the supporting members of the bomb rack orhanger, the exposed parts of the rods l4 acting as bearings therefor.

Hooks Hi are pivoted at I! in the plates l0 and hinge-members l2-|3 at either end of the shackle. The hooks H5 in the locked position of the shackle close the entrances of openings [8 and support rings or other suitable members l9 which carry the bomb (not shown), thus providing a two point support for the bomb.

The upper portions of the hooks [6 are pivoted at 2&1 to a longitudinally extending tie rod or bar 2i. A finger piece 22 extends upwardly from the tie rod to permit of manipulation of the tie rod and its hooks in resetting the shackle after a bomb has been released and a new bomb is being placed in position. The tie rod is preferably composed .of two strips which are spotwelded to the bar or stock from which the finger piece 22 extends. These two strips act as guides for other members as will be apparent hereinafter. It will be apparent that the hooks l6 and tie rod 2! are movable simultaneously, and furthermore that the weight of the .bomb as it hangs on the hooks tends to move the hooks and the tie rod toward the right in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 to release the bomb.

Releasable locking means for the tie rod and its hooks are provided and this means will now be described. The tie rod has a depending tooth 25 which is likewise formed on the bar from which the finger piece 22 extends and to which the two strips of the tie rod are resistance welded. The tooth 25 engages a notch 26 in a tumbler 2'! vpivoted at '28 in the plates [9. The free end of the tumbler 21 in the locked position, engages anotch 29 in a lever 30 which is pivoted at-3l in the plates Ill. The upper or free end of the lever 30 is pivoted at 32 to one member of a toggle mechanism 33. As heretofore described the weight of the bomb causes the hooks to move to release the bomb when they and their tie rod are free to move. A light spring 34 wound about a post 35 has oneendengaging the under side of the tumbler 27 and its other end engaging a stud 36. This spring is actingagainst the weight of the bomb .and urges the tumbler upwardly so that the notch 26 will automatically engage the tooth in resetting the mechanism. The tumbler is provided with a boss 31 which contacts the left hand hook IS in the released position, see Fig. 4, and acts as a stop to prevent further movement of the hooks and their tie rod.

The toggle mechanism 33 comprises tWo members 38 and 1-29 each in the form of a stirrup, the arms of which are hinged together at 40. The lower stirrup 38 is pivoted at 4| to the plates iii and the arms of the upper stirrup 39 are pivoted at 32 in a yoke 44 forming part of the other stirrup member 39. The stirrup 39 is made of substantially heavier material than the stirrup 38 and its connecting portion 42 extends beyond the pivot 40 and above the arms of the stirrup 39. It thus acts as an efficient finger piece for resetting the toggle after it has been released and also functions as a stop so that after the toggle has passed dead center it cannot move any further and the toggle operating member is thus relieved of a certain amount of strain. The stem of the yoke i4 is slidably mounted in the hinge-member l2 and a spring 45 encircles this stem and is confined between the end of the hinge member and the yoke 4 5, When the mechanism has been released, as will hereinafter be described, and the toggle has been broken as shown in Fig. 4, the spring 45 instantly causes the to gle, to assume the position of Fig. 4. A spring 41 wound about the pivot 32 has its central portion engaging the yoke 44 and the ends engaging the arms of the stirrup 39. This spring acts to assist the toggle to its locked position when resetting the toggle. Naturally in this locked position as shown in Figs. 1, 2 and 3 the toggle is slightly beyond dead center and is held there by the action of the spring 45.

Means are provided for positively holding the toggle in its locked position so that it is impossible to release the bomb inadvertently. The pivot pin 40 extends beyond one side of the toggle, see Figs. 5 and 6, and in the locked position engages a hook 58 which is formed on a lever 5i pivoted at 3| in the frame, the same pivot being used as that of the lever 30, The lever 5i has an arm 52 extending therefrom the purpose of which Will be described later and in addition is provided with an upwardly extending hump 53 beyond the hook portion. The lever is normally urged toward the pivot pin ll] by a spring 49 encircling the pivot pin 3i and having one end engaging the lever and the other end engaging one of the plates It, When the toggle has been broken and it is desired to reset it the hump 53 will be engaged by the pin 40 and the lever 5! will be caused to automatically assume its locked position with the hook in engagement with the extended portion of the pin 49.

Pivoted at 5% to the lever 5| is a link 55 the opposite end of which is pivoted at 55 to a trigger 5'! which in turn is pivoted at 58 in the side plates ill. The trigger 5'! may assume one of three positions, the three positions being indicated by center lines in Fig. 1.

In the full line position of Figs. 1 and 2 the mechanism is locked, the hook 50 is engaging the pivot pin ill, the toggle cannot be broken and it is impossible to release the bomb. In the central position, shown in broken lines in Fig. 2 the hook 50 is moved out of engagement with the pivot pin 45 and in a manner hereinafter described the bomb may be released, The left hand position illustrated in Fig. 4 is what might be termed an emergency position, The breaking of the toggle to release the bomb is preferably elec- 4 trically controlled. However at times it may be desirable to drop the bomb without utilizing the electric control. In this event the trigger 5ll is pushed all the way over to the left in Figs. 1, 3 and 4 and the continued movement of the lever 51 causes the arm 52 on the lever to engage the extension of the pin 40 and break the toggle thus releasing the bomb.

The electrically controlled means for breaking the toggle and releasing the bomb will now be described. A solenoid '59 is mounted on one side of the frame structure and a crosshead 65 is secured to the plunger 6i. One end of the crosshead engages an opening in a lever 62 pivoted at 63 to one of the side plates Ill. The lever 52 has a toe 54 on its upper end beyond the fulcrum and the edge of this toe is arcuate, and bears against one of the arms of the toggle in the region of the pivot pin ill. When the solenoid is energized the toe 8 of the lever 62 is immediately swung to the right, the tog le is instantly broken and the bomb is dropped. Thus all lost motion and lag is eliminated, When the trigger 51 is set in the firing or the central position the pressing of a switch instantly releases the bomb thus greatly facilitating the accuracy of dropping the bomb on its objective.

The cross head 68 is threaded into the plunger M of the solenoid and secured in place by a grip nut 65 thus permitting the cross head being moved toward or away from the solenoid for accurate adjusting. A spring 65 urges the plunger 61 to its outer position which is the position it would assume when the shackle mechanism is locked. A threaded extension from the tumbler pivot 28 engages a threaded opening 61 in a lug formed on the back plate 58 of the solenoid. The back plate 68 and the cross head 50 are formed of non-magnetic material to increase the efiiciency of the solenoid.

The lever 30 heretofore described has a pin 10 secured to it and extending through an aperture in one of the side plates Hi. This pin l8 engages a pair of switches ii and i2. One of the switches controls a tell-tale light in the bombardiers compartment which will go out when the particular bomb is dropped and will light again when a new bomb has been placed in the shackle, The other switch permits of the current entering the solenoid 59 when it is desired to operate it to drop a bomb. This switch is thrown after the bomb has been dropped and permits the current to pass into the solenoid of an adjoining shackle.

The switch ll controlling the tell-tale light has its finger switch urged toward the right in Fig. 1 and will always move to the right hand position. The pin ii! on the lever 30 holds the switch finger H in the left hand position as shown in Fig. 1 when the shackle mechanism is locked and carrying a bomb. In this position the tell-tale light is lit. When the toggle is broken, either by energizing the solenoid or moving the trigger 51 to the emergency or salvo position, the lever 30 and its pin 'HJ will move toward the right and permit the switch finger H to snap towards the right and break the circuit to the tell-tale light. When a new bomb is placed in position and the toggle reset the switch finger H will be moved toward the left by the pin to and the circuit to the telltale light will be closed.

The switch 12 is a conventional double throw switch which in one position will permit a circuit to be closed to the solenoid 5s and in th other position open this circuit and permit a circuit to be closed to the solenoid of an adjoining shackle.

ea-moss When the switch :finger 12 rests toward the left as "shown in Fig. 1 the'circuit to the solenoid 59 may be closed. Immediately upon this circuit being closed the 'solenoi'd'is energized, its plunger moves inwardly against the pressure of the spring -66,'the toggle is broken by mechanism heretofore described and'the' bomb is dropped. The solenoid is energized to drop the bomb and immediately upon its de-energization the spring 68 forces the solenoid plunger-6i and its crosshead 68 away from the solenoid so as to move the switch finger 72 toward the right and break thecircuit to the solenoid '59 and close the circuit'to a'solenoid of an adjoining shackle. The position of the cross head '9 in Fig. 1 is what might be termed an intermediate position, the spring 66 being partially compressed. When the solenoid is deenergized after a bomb has been discharged from the shackle the spring 8% will move the crosshead 'GU-a 'sumcient distance to snap the switch finger 72 from the left hand to the right hand position. As-with the switch finger ll when the toggle is being reset after positioning another bomb in the shackle the switch finger '12 will be moved toward the left by the pin it.

It is known in the art and is not novel with applicant to provide means for completing a circult to a subsequent station after a bomb has been dropped from a preceding station. However applicant believes the method of operating the switches to be novel with him and a simple wiring diagram is illustrated in Fig. 14 showing the circuits between the electrically operated mechanisms and double throw switches of a pair of shackles. In this diagram the reference numeral 59 indicates the solenoid of the instant shackle and 59' the solenoid of a subsequent shackle. The double throw switch of the instant shackle is shown at 72 and that-of a subsequent shackle at 12' and the control switch is indicated at I25. The switch H and the circuits for the tell-tale light are not shown. The switches H and I2 are supported on an angle bracket 13 secured to and suitably spaced away from the side plate to permit of operation of the lever 82.

Means are provided for dropping the bomb either armed or unarmed and this means will now be described. A retainer member 15 is pivoted in the side plates It! at 1-6. The retaining member 75 has a finger H which passed behind a notch 18 in the side plates H3. An arming or safety wire 19 rests in the notch 18 above the finger Ti and this wire is connected with suitable known mechanism on the bomb. If the wire is released free with the bomb the bomb will not explode on contact. However, if the wire is retainedin th shackle, the aforesaid mechanism "will be actuated and the bomb will explode on contact.

Means are provided for normally holding the retainer member 75 in its locked position as illustrated in Fig. 3 so that the arming wire 19 will be held'in-the shackle. The retainer member has an aperture 89 and one of the side plates [0 has an opening 8| concentric with the opening 80 in the retainer member when the retainer member'is in the locked position. A solenoid B2 is secured to one of the side plates, the solenoid and its plunger being concentric with the openings 88 and BI and the plunger being spring urged away from the opening 89 in the retainer member so that its end 83 will not engage said opening and the retainer member will be Tree to move and the bomb will drop unarmed. When it is desired to release the bomb armed either by moving the trigger '51 all the way to the left or by the electrically'controlled means heretofore described the solenoid 82 is energized and the plunger is projected into the opening 89 against the spring pressure, thus locking the retainer member against movement so that when the bomb is dropped the arming wire '59 will be held in'the shackle and the bomb will be dropped armed.

The retainer member is urged to its closed positionby a light spring 84 wound about the pivot pin 16 and having one end engaging the retainer member and the other end engaging a stud 85 between the side plates. A pair of fingers Bl and 88 on the retainer member cooperate with a stud 89 to act as stops for the retainer member either in its released or locked position. The retainer member as well as th trigger 51 and lever 3%! pass between the two strips forming the tie rod 2! and this construction acts as a help in guiding these members and maintaining the rigidity of the shackle.

Fig. 8 shows an alternative form of mechanism for controlling the release of the arming wire and in this figure similar parts bear similar reference numerals.

In this form the action of the retainer member is not controlled electrically but is controlled by hand.

The trigger has a toe 90 at substantially right angles thereto and extending over to the retainer member 9| which is pivoted at 92 in the side plate ii As with the electrically controlled release a spring 84 maintains the finger 93 over the notch 78 to confine the arming wire 19. The retainer member 91 instead of being provided with stop fingers has a slot 94 the ends of which cooperate with a stud 95 in the released or locked position. The retainer member 9! has one side curved as indicated at 95 to permit free movement of the toe 90.

In the postion shown in Fig. 8 when the shackle mechanism is locked the retainer member 8| may be moved without interference with the toe 20 to facilitate entrance of the arming wire in the notche 18. When the trigger member is moved to its intermediate position to unlock the toggle preparatory to breaking the toggle to drop the bomb the toe 90 engages the curved portion 96 and the retainer member cannot be moved, thus insuring the arming wire being held to the shackle. When the trigger member is moved all the way to the left for an emergency dropping of the bomb the retainer member 9! is free to move and the bomb will drop unarmed.

'Figs. 9 to 13 which show an alternative form of looking or latching mechanism will now be described. As all the parts are the same except those concerned with the latching mechanism per se, similar parts will be designated by similar reference numerals and the description will be limited particularly to the parts that are different.

The essential difierencebetween the arrangement illustrated in Figs. 9 to 13 and that heretofore described is that the toggle has been eliminated and a simple link in the form of a pivoted stirrup is utilized. This link is designated by the reference numeral I00 and is pivoted to the side plates NJ at Nil. The link is composed of two arms and their ends remote from the pivot M! are connected together by a stud m2, the ends of which are turned down and resistance welded to the arm. To insure a good Weld and the proper diffusion of the heat during the welding operation the ends of the arms are slotted as indicated at I03. The stud I02 has a flattened portion I04 and its ends adjacent the inner sides of the stirrup arms are turned down as indicated at I05. A spring I06 part of which surrounds the pivot IBI has its legs bearing at one end on the arms of the stirrup and at the other end on one of the hooks I6 and the rod H and normally urges the stirrup toward the frame.

The lever I pivoted at 3I somewhat resembles lever 30, serves a similar function and has a nose I08 which engages the flattened portion I04 of the stud I02 when the mechanism is in its locked position. The notch or seat I09 of the lever I0! is disposed at such an angle that gravity and the pressure of the free end of the tumbler 21 tends to move the lever I01 toward the right in Figs. 1 and 2, thus releasing the locking mechanism with a minimum amount of effort. Naturally the engaging face at the free end of the tumbler 21 is shaped to conform with the seat I00. The lever I01 carries the pin 70 to engage the switches II and 72 as heretofore described.

A lever I I0 resembling the lever 62 and performing a similar function is pivoted at 63 to the frame and has along arcuate face II I which engages one of the arms of the stirrup link I00. The lever III] is engaged by the crosshead 50 in the same manner heretofore described in connection with the other construction and when the solenoid 59 is energized the lever I I0 will be moved toward the left and the cam face I II will raise the stirrup I00 releasing the nose I08 from the flattened portion I04 of the stud I02. The tumbler 2'1 will then instantly cam the lever I01 towards the right and the parts will function as heretofore described to drop the bomb. The cam face I I I is so shaped that in its initial movement before energy has been built up in the solenoid very little work is being accomplished in raising the stirrup. As the lever III] continues to move toward the left and the maximum energy is built up in the solenoid the bulk of the work in raising the stirrup is performed thus making for a most efficient operation of the solenoid. It is to be understood the action just described is all taking place within a minute part of a second.

The means for positively holding the stirrup I00 in its locked position varie somewhat from that heretofore described in connection with the toggle mechanism. A slide II 5, U-shaped in cross section, is mounted on top of the side plates I0 and is held in sliding engagement thereon by two yoke-shaped, clamps M0, the ends of which are suitably secured to the side plates. One end of the slide H5 has a finger piece M1 by which the slide may be manipulated to any one of three positions as heretofore described in connection With the operation of the trigger 57.

At the opposite end each leg of the slide H5 is provided with a peculiar shaped slot H8. These slots I I8 engage the turned down portions I05 on the stud I02. In the locked position the stud I02 engages restricted portions N9 of the slots and the stirrup I00 cannot be raised to allow operation of the releasing mechanism. When the slide i I5 is moved to its intermediate or firing position the stud I02 enters widened portions I of the slots. The stirrup may then be raised by the cam II 9 and the bomb discharged as heretofore described. A continued movement of the slide to the emergency or salvo position causes the stud I 02 to engage cam portions IZI in the lower edges of the slots. The stirrup and its stud will then be raised and the bomb released. Obviously a modified arrangement of the slide II5 might be used in connection with the toggle operated mechanism instead of the lever 5!, link 55 and trigger 51.

Such changes in details of construction and arrangements of parts as would occur to one skilled in the art are to be considered as coming within the spirit of the invention as defined in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth fixed on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, releasable locking means for holding said .tumbler in engagement with said tooth, means for positively holding said releasable locking means in its locked position so that it is impossible to drop a bomb inadvertently, means for positioning said holding means to permit of the releasable locking means being operated, and electrically operated means for operating said releasable locking means so as to drop the bomb.

2. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth fixed on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, releasable looking means for holding said lever in engagement with said tumbler, means for positively holding said releasable locking means in its locked position so that it is impossible to drop a bomb inadvertently, means for positioning said holding means to permit of the releasable locking means being operated, and electrically operated means for operating said releasable locking means so as to drop the bomb.

3. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a, supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a toggle mechanism mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engaging said toggle mechanism, means for breaking the toggle so as to permit movement of said lever, and means for holding said toggle in a position slightly beyond dead center so as to prevent movement of said toggle.

4. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said .tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a toggle mechanism mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engaging said toggle mechanism, an arm pivoted on said frame and engaging said toggle so that movement of the arm will break the toggle so as to permit movement of said lever, a solenoid for operating said arm, and means for holding said 'toggle in a position slightly beyond dead center so as to preventmovement of said toggle.

5. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a .toggle mechanism mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engaging said toggle mechanism, an arm pivoted on said frame and engaging said toggle so that movement of the arm will break the toggle so as to permit movement of said lever, a solenoid for operating said arm, means for holding said toggle in a position slightly beyond dead center so as to prevent movement of said toggle, a pair of switches mounted on said frame, and means on said arm and on said lever forcontrolling the operation of said switches.

6. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler, pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever. pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a stirrup pivotally mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engaging said stirrup, means for raising said stirrup out of engagement with said lever so as to permit movement of said lever, and means for holding said stirrup in engagement with the free end of said lever so as to prevent movement of the stirrup and lever.

'7. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a stirrup pivotally mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engaging said stirrup, an arm pivoted on said frame and engaging said stirrup so that movement of the arm will raise the stirrup out of engagement with said lever and permit movement of said lever, a solenoid for operating said arm, and means for holding said stirrup in engagement with the free end of said lever so as to prevent movement of the stirrup and lever.

85A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks sothat they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumblena stirrup pivotally mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engaging said stirrup, an arm pivoted on said frame and engaging said stirrup so that movement of the arm will raise the stirru out of engagement with said lever and permit movement of said lever, a solenoid for operating said arm, means for holding said stirrup in engagement with the free end of said lever so asto prevent movement of the stirrup and lever, a pair of switches mounted on said frame, and means on said lever for controlling the operation of said switches.

9. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a sup orting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a toggle mechanism, mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engaging said toggle mechanism, means for breaking the toggle so as to permit movement of said lever, a hooked lever pivoted on said frame and engaging the toggle in a position slightly beyond dead center so as to prevent movement of said toggle, and means for moving said hooked lever out of engagement with said toggle.

10. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a toggle mechanism mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engaging said toggle mechanism, a hooked lever pivoted on said frame, said hooked lever having a hook portion and an arm portion, a trigger pivoted in said frame, and a link connecting said trigger to said hooked lever, the arrangement being such that in one position of the trigger "the hooked portion of the lever will engage the toggle and prevent it from breaking, in another position the hooked portion of the lever will be out of engagement with the toggle so that it can be broken, and'in another position the arm portion of the hooked lever will break the toggle.

11. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a stirrup pivotally mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engag ng said stirrup, a slotted slide for engaging said st r,- rup to prevent movement thereof, and manually controlled means for moving said slotted slide in relation to said stirrup. V

12. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a stirrup pivotally mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever enga said stirrup, a slide for engaging said stirrup, slots in said slide the Slide being mounted for longitudinal movement on said frame, a pin on the free end of said stirrup engaging said slots the arrangement being such that in one position of the slide the slots in said slide will prevent movement of said stirrup, in another position the slots will permit the stirrup to be raised, and in another position the slots will raise the stirrup.

13. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a member mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engaging said member, an arm pivoted on said frame and engaging said member so that movement of the arm will raise the member so as to permit movement of said lever, a solenoid for operating said arm, and means for holding said member in engagement with the free end of said lever so as to prevent movement of the member and lever.

14. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth so as to prevent movement of sa d tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a stirrup mounted on said frame, a pin on the free end of said stirrup the free end of said lever engaging said stirrup, an arm pivoted on said frame and engaging said stirrup so that movement of the arm will raise the stirrup so as to permit movement of said lever, a solenoid for operating said arm, a slotted slide for engaging the pin on said stirrup, the slide being mounted for longitudinal movement in said frame, the arrangement being such that in one position of the slide the slots in said slide will engage said pin and prevent movement of said stirrup, in another position the pin will engage said slots so as to permit the stirrup to be raised, and in another position the pin will engage the slots to raise the stirrup.

15. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying ,hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, releasable locking means for the tie rod and its hooks, means for positively holding said releasable locking means in its locked position so that it is impossible to drop a bomb inadvertently; manually operated means for positioning said holding means to permit of the releasable locking means being operated, electrically operated mean for operating said releasable locking means so as to drop the bomb, retaining means for the arming wire of the bomb, and means operated by said manually operated means to position said retaining means for causing the arming wire of the bomb to be released or retained.

16. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so that they will operate simultaneously, a tooth on said tie rod, a tumbler pivoted in said frame and engaging said tooth 8.0 a 170 prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, the free end of said tumbler engaging said lever so as to prevent movement of said tumbler, a toggle mechanism mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engaging said toggle mechanism, a hooked lever pivoted on said frame, a trigger pivoted in said frame, a link connecting said trigger to said hooked lever the arrangement being such that in one position of the trigger the hooked lever will engage the toggle and prevent it from breaking, in another position the hooked lever will be out of engagement with the toggle so that it can be broken, and in another position the hooked lever will break the toggle, an arming wire retainer member pivoted in said frame, and a toe on said trigger, said toe in one position engaging said retainer member and preventing said retainer member from movement so that the arming wire will be retained, and in another position being out of engagement with said retainer member and permitting of movement of the retainer member so that the arming wire will be released.

17. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so they will operate simultaneously, releasable locking means for the tie rod and its hooks to maintain said tie rod and its hooks in bomb supporting position, a lever pivoted in said frame, said releasable locking means being interposed between said lever and the tie rod and its hooks and constructed and arranged to cooperate with said lever so as to positively prevent movement of said tie rod and its hooks when the lever is in one position, other releasable locking means in engagement with said lever for maintaining said first mentioned releasable locking means in locked position, means for positively holding said second mentioned locking means in its locked position so that it is impossible to drop a bomb inadvertently, means for positioning said holding means to permit of the said second mentioned releasable locking means being operated, and electrically operated means for releasing said second mentioned releasable locking means so as to drop the bomb.

18. A bomb releasing shackle having in combination, a supporting frame, bomb carrying hooks pivoted in said frame, a tie rod connecting said hooks so they will operate simultaneously, releasable locking means for the tie rod and its hooks, a lever pivoted in said frame, said releasable locking means being interposed between said lever and the tie rod and its hooks, a stirrup pivotally mounted on said frame, the free end of said lever engaging said stirrup, an arm pivoted on said frame and engaging said stirrup o that movement of the arm Will raise the stirrup out of engagement with said lever and permit movement of said lever, electrically controlled means for operating said arm, and means for holding said stirrup in engagement with the free end of said lever so as to prevent movement of the stirrup and lever.

19. In bomb release mechanism, a shackle including means to hold the bomb, a lever, means controlled by said lever to release aid holding means, a toggle connected to said lever for normally holding said lever in a locking position when said toggle is straight, said toggle including two arms and an intermediate pivot pin connecting said arms, a second lever having hook means thereon for engaging said pin in 13 one position thereof, said second lever in a second position leaving said pin free for movement, means urging said first lever to releasing position, and electrical means on said shackle energizable to break said toggle when said second lever is in said second position.

20. An aircraft apparatus for an aerial bomb having a relatively movable arming means, said apparatus including: means to releasably support said bomb; a first control means movable through a range including a normal position, a firing position preparatory to operating said support means to release the bomb, and an emergency position to operate said support means to release said bomb; means to engage said arming 15 means, said engagement. mean being normally yieldable to release in response to pressure from the arming means; means responsive tosaid first control means to preclude yielding of said yieldable engagement means when said first control means is in said firing position; a second control means operatively connected to said support means to release said bomb when the first control is in firing position; and means responsive to said first control means to prevent release of the bomb by said support means when said first control means is in said normal position.

ROSCOE I. MARKEY. 

